"You'll come to understand that we are more civilised here than you are used to," he said as he led her down the cavernous hallway.
Erin was only half-listening as she gazed up at the vaulted ceiling, it was like the Cistine chapel. Only not full of angels. There was a lot of red up there.
"Ah," he said, noticing that she had come to a stop. "The story of our ancestors. Our family dates back centuries. That," he added, pointing out one of the figures, this one a beautiful woman swathed in black, holding a dagger to an armour-clad man's throat. "Is my great-grandmother. You will love her, she tells such...interesting stories. Come."
They set off down the hall again. Erin heard voices, the clinking of glasses, and frowned. Glasses? What was going on?
He threw open the double doors at the end of the hallway to reveal a surprisingly small and intimate dining room. A table set for twelve ran down the centre, and only two seats were left empty, the one at the head of the table and the seat directly to the left of it. He moved to the head of the table, but did not sit. He gestured for Erin to take the seat beside his.
"I would like you all to welcome Erin. She will be joining us for a while. And now, let's eat." He sat down.
Erin looked around, half-expecting a bunch of humans to be ushered into the room. Instead, several waiters emerged from the shadows of the room, carrying glass bowls. She could smell the blood, and frowned as a bowl was set down in front of her.
He leaned towards her, smirking. "Venetian crystal. Stunning, isn't it?" He lifted the bowl to his lips and drank deeply while Erin watched. Others were using spoons, but most drank straight from the bowl.
When he lowered it to the table again, his lips were stained crimson and parted in a smile.
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